Starpulse.com and Brand Thunder Ink Deal to Deliver Everything Entertainment to Customized Internet Browsers by Brand Thunder

For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS OH (July 31, 2008) — Brand Thunder LLC, the browser customization specialists, announced today its relationship with Starpulse.com to build the first custom browser theme for the entertainment enthusiast.

The relationship creates the first custom browser serving the needs of the Entertainment News audience. The browser features a unique visual RSS sidebar which provides a more robust news feed than most RSS feed readers enable and will include headlines, lead paragraphs and photos of the latest celebrity news. The browser also integrates key aspects of Starpulse.com including breaking news feeds and links back to the most popular elements of the site.

“The News Plus visual RSS sidebar delivers a detailed snapshot of the breaking news from Starpulse.com,” says founder Patrick Murphy. “It’s only one of the ways customizing the browser keeps fresh content in front of the Starpulse.com audience wherever they are on the internet, and an essential component in high-demand, entertainment news.”

“In addition to the site we offer feeds and widgets to serve the needs of our audience when they are away from our site, the branded browser theme will really make sure our Firefox users can stay connected and never lose contact with what is breaking on Starpulse.com. Brand Thunder is really helping us keep our most dedicated users connected with a really cool theme,” said Dave Armenia, CEO, Starpulse.com.

About Brand Thunder

Formed in April, 2007, Brand Thunder creates a more persistent presence between corporate brands and their internet consumer through its browser customization which leads to increased web site visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or internet site. The customized browsers feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the The Huffington Post, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

About Starpulse.com:
Starpulse is your connection to everything entertainment, with more than 3 million topics, it’s a complete online entertainment resource. The site features; entertainment news, gossip, exclusives, celebrities, movies, TV shows, music, video, photos, contests and much more! Starpulse.com’s site offers celebrity enthusiasts like you the chance to actively join the community and comment on blogs, topics and stories, view photos, and interact with other entertainment enthusiasts. Visit Starpulse it’s “Your Entertainment Destination” at http://www.Starpulse.com.

Contact

Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-408-8202

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Posted in Press Releases | Tags: custom browser, starpulse | No Comments »

Understanding the Value Chain to Sell your Service by Patrick Murphy

As a business that sells to businesses to reach consumers (did you follow that?), Brand Thunder has to have several layers to its sales strategy. The relationship announced today with Starpulse (read the full release here) is an excellent example of this. Our sales presentation had to move from the broad corporate need to the specific consumer need to the impact on the business.

Starpulse.com is an online leader in the frenzied market of entertainment news. In Entertainment, you’re just as likely to drive traffic for the breaking news of the latest celebrity scandal as you are for your full editorial feature on the latest summer blockbuster – maybe more so. When an audience is that starved for breaking news, can you afford to wait for them to visit your web site? No.

Please forgive us if the following is a bit self-serving, but we’re talking about our sales approach so it should be relevant.

A key value proposition we offer when selling our services is persistence. We can keep your brand and message in front of your consumer regardless of where they are on the internet, and it’s done in an aesthetically pleasing way without encumbering the browser. The old advertising adage of “reach and frequency” has to be redefined for our product.

Starpulse knows that their consumer simply wants to see the celebrity mug shot and know what the charges were as soon as the news hits. Which is why we presented and launched with our News Plus sidebar that incorporates images and details of the breaking news. We understood the consumers need and had a solution to address it. The net effect will be increased site traffic and greater audience tenure.

See the effort of this collaboration here.

Posted in News | 1 Comment »

Coolfire Media and Brand Thunder Announce Distribution Partnership for Custom Browsers by Brand Thunder

For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS OH (July 29, 2008) — Brand Thunder LLC, the browser customization specialists, announced today that Coolfire Media will offer Brand Thunder custom browsers as a part of its Interactive services. The browser customizations will include the capability to offer functionality developed exclusively by Coolfire Media. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The customizations allow a visual takeover of the look and feel of the browser creating a totally branded experience that is persistent regardless of the web site being viewed. Additionally, functionality can be enhanced including embedded media players, RSS feeds incorporating images and text, and content widgets.

“We’ve made it simple to enhance multiple elements within the browser,” says founder Patrick Murphy. “We can offer that core capability to Coolfire Media, who in turn has extensive experience in providing new media solutions to brand marketers and they can add their own functionality tweaks to our current portfolio of offerings.”

“Brand Thunder has built a complete end-to-end process for a very compelling niche product,” said Eric Stanley, of Coolfire Media. “We think it leverages our interactive capabilities, gives us the flexibility to make unique offerings and will be in demand by our partners.”

About Brand Thunder

Formed in April, 2007, Brand Thunder creates a more persistent presence between corporate brands and their internet consumer through its browser customization which leads to increased web site visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or internet site. The customized browsers feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the The Huffington Post, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

Contact

Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-408-8202

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Posted in Press Releases | Tags: coolfire media, custom browsers | No Comments »

Removing Ego for the Benefit of our Company by Patrick Murphy

How often does your ego get in the way because you say to yourself “I can do it all”? The ego has its role. It probably inspired a lot of entrepreneurial ventures because you believe you can do “it” better. But, does it also give you free reign to do what’s right for the business?

As a start up, we have some notion that we simply can’t do it all and one aspect of that is reaching all client prospects as rapidly as we’d like. So, to broaden Brand Thunder’s business development, we’ve talked with a number of agencies since they’re already representing brand marketers and are used to pitching emerging media opportunities. Coolfire Media offered all that, plus brought an added dimension. Their existing interactive division provided the technical expertise to allow them to extend the browser functionality beyond the portfolio of offerings Brand Thunder currently provides.

This distribution strategy really required setting the ego aside. Aren’t interactive agencies and Brand Thunder both in the business of providing creative, technical solutions to brand marketers? But, there is no one true path for creativity or execution. Each company will offer its own strengths and perspectives. And, that’s why we pursued this path.

We are also confident in platform we’ve created for custom browsers. This gives a company, like Coolfire Media, the foundation against which to develop while still giving them the functional creativity to add more than visual appeal to a browser. They don’t have to recreate the wheel, they just have to enhance the vehicle. And, together we hope to sell more cars (or custom browsers actually, wanted to clarify in case the metaphorical ramblings were getting too vague).

To see the range of Coolfire’s work, go to www.coolfiremedia.com. To see our current client executions, visit www.brandthunder.com/media. To see the press release of the agreement, click here.

Posted in News | Tags: advertising, agency, browser, extensions, firefox, themes | No Comments »

Treat Them Right – Giving More to Your Most-Valued Consumer by Patrick Murphy

Brand Thunder launches its browser customization for Universal Music Nashville’s Sugarland concurrently with the duo’s Deluxe Fan Edition CD (the standard CD will release a week later). This bonus version is similar in value proposition to a custom browser.

The Deluxe Fan Edition offers additional tracks, more detail in the CD booklet, exclusive downloads and a chance to win a VIP package to the CMA Awards and hang out with the band. This CD bundle goes farther, does more and gives bonuses to the more avid fan. Sugarland is creating a deeper connection with that fan by providing them more insight and access to themselves.

Brand Thunder’s custom browsers also create an opportunity to engage and create a deeper, longer-lasting relationship with your audience. With Sugarland’s browser, fans can watch video right in the browser’s sidebar, stream music for free, receive exclusive news feeds and are never more than a click away from the band. It provides more to that consumer willing to go the extra step of downloading the browser and really connecting with the band.

You can see how it all comes together in the browser customization here.

Posted in News | Tags: browser, firefox, nashville, sugarland universal music, themes | 1 Comment »

Brand Thunder Takes Browser Customizations to Aspiring Models by Brand Thunder

For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS OH (July 15, 2008) — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the browser customization specialists, announced today its relationship with Dynasty Athlete Representation (http://www.dynastyreps.com).

The agreement represents an entirely new channel for Brand Thunder by providing browser customizations for individuals instead of corporate brands. Two popular models will be featured, Lauren Stevens and Danielle Wolfe, offering users the opportunity to follow the professional careers of these rising stars. The browser customizations will keep users aware of breaking news, professional appearances and photo galleries. It can be downloaded at http://www.brandthunder.com/dynasty.

“Brand Thunder offers presence and communication as much as customization,” says founder Patrick Murphy. “Dynasty approached us to build and grow the organic internet popularity they’ve seen in their top models, and this customization offers an opportunity to create that celebrity to fan connection.”

“The fascination with Lauren and Danielle started with recognition on popular internet sites,” said Darren Heitner, CEO of Dynasty Athlete Representation. “We felt Brand Thunder offered the best product to help maintain their presence in the internet community while Dynasty develops their professional careers in other media.”

About Brand Thunder

Formed in April, 2007, Brand Thunder creates a more persistent presence between corporate brands and their internet consumer through its browser customization which leads to increased web site visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or internet site. The customized browsers feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the The Huffington Post, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

About Dynasty Athlete Representation,
Dynasty Athlete Representation is a full service sports and entertainment agency with services that include contract negotiations, marketing, endorsements, charity, philanthropy and retirement planning for its clients. For more information about Dynasty Athlete Representation, LLC or any of its models visit http://www.DynastyReps.com.

Contact

Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-408-8202

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Posted in Press Releases | Tags: custom browser, models | No Comments »

The Brand is Me by Patrick Murphy

We announced our relationship today with Dynasty Reps (full release here). With this custom browser, we’re working with emerging talent who are establishing themselves as the brand. Brand Thunder has worked with some well known brands and entertainment artists, this is the evolution of our vision for browser customizations.

When you think of brand management, there’s a lot of control exerted around the message of the brand and what gets associated with the brand. In the internet space, you’re less likely to control the message but there are methods to stay in front of it. So much attention is given to a breaking story, being first is critical. That’s part of the value of the persistent presence of the branded browser. When you have that direct connection to your community, and are with them whenever and wherever they are online – you have the ability to be the messenger.

With the Dynasty Rep theme, Lauren Stevens and Danielle Wolfe can communicate directly with their fan base that has developed organically on the web. The ability to deepen that fan connection builds greater loyalty and trust. And isn’t trust the hallmark of the best brands?

Posted in News | 1 Comment »

Funding Help Luncheon – Short Deadline by Patrick Murphy

For those of you in the central Ohio region, TechColumbus is offering a lunch meeting this Friday, July 11, at 11:30AM titled “The Art of the Pitch.” You can find details and register here. Hurry though, the deadline is noon on Wednesday, July 9.

We’ll be discussing how to present your business idea to investors. I have the good fortune of being one of the panelists and Dan Casey, our advisor, is the moderator. It should be a good and lively discussion .

Patrick

Posted in News | Tags: investor presentation, startup funding, techcolumbus | No Comments »

Brand Thunder Expands Executive Team with Two Hires by Brand Thunder

For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS OH (July 1, 2008) — Brand Thunder LLC, the browser customization specialists, announced today that it has hired two internet executives, Brij Charan, Director of Technology and Design, and Kevin Dwinnell, Director of Product and Marketing.

“To call either of them a ‘new hire’ doesn’t do them justice,” says founder Patrick Murphy. “They’ve both been intricately involved in this venture since the beginning and I’m thrilled they’ll now contribute as part of the executive team.”

Charan will lead the development and designs for all of Brand Thunder’s products and services including styling visual elements of the browser customizations, extending browser functionality and developing a scalable download system. He brings extensive experience in software development, hardware infrastructure and graphic design. His previous work has spanned the Firefox, Flock and Netscape browsers. Charan will operate out of his office in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Dwinnell will focus on defining Brand Thunder’s product direction in addition to the marketing and promotion of Brand Thunder and its products. He has over 15 years of experience in the online industry defining, launching and managing programs for the AOL, CompuServe and Netscape brands. His experience in business, product and promotion management also includes work for Hanna-Barbera Studios, Liebert Corporation and Turner Broadcasting Systems. Dwinnell will be based in Columbus, Ohio.

About Brand Thunder

Formed in April, 2007, Brand Thunder creates a more persistent presence between corporate brands and their internet consumer through its browser customization which leads to increased web site visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or internet site. The customized browsers feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the The Huffington Post, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

Contact

Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-408-8202

###

Posted in Press Releases | Tags: custom browser, executive team, new hire | No Comments »

Expanding the Executive Team by Patrick Murphy

Thoughts on Building the Start-up Team

Brand Thunder announced today the formation of its executive team (you can read the full release here). We set out to create a team capable of building (1) a custom-browser infrastructure where we’ll (2) work with some of the best known brands to (3) create branded browsers for their consumers. That creates a long list of needs to be able to address each category effectively with a very small team.

Here are three considerations that went into the process:

Network for Referrals – We went to people where we had direct working relationship. In one case, that person came on board. In the other, we got the person recommended by our contact. This helped create a team with an immediate degree of trust and confidence between members – necessary elements as we work collectively and independently on the vast number of tasks before us.

Breadth of Experience as Much as Depth – The quantity of tasks is equaled only by the range of work we need to complete, and there’s only a few of us doing the work. We need a core team with multiple talents and who can operate under different roles concurrently. We looked for complementary skill sets that would reduce the knowledge gaps on the team. We now have a team that will have, if not direct experience, at least a reduced learning curve for almost any task before us.

Skill Sets that are Both Art and Science – Our product must be visually compelling to attract the customer, but with the highest quality since it’s representing top-tier brands. We sought equal parts hacker and artist, creative thinker and process disciplinarian, strong egos and aggressive listeners. We’ve built a team with the analytical skills necessary to manage to deadlines, metrics and quality while maintaining the aesthetic and emotional connection with the end user.

We think this approach has given us a strong foundation team from which we can build out the company and serve our customers and clients. Welcome Brij and Kevin. Now on to the proving ground.

Posted in News | Tags: browser, extension, firefox, theme, toolbars | No Comments »